The Power of Praise – The Guileless Commander, The One Who Makes All Things Lovingly Fitted

When I was in college and working a part-time job, I went through a period in which I saw God as someone who created us but leaves us to our own devices, with some tools maybe and little instruction.

I did not embrace the idea of God being intimate with me and someone to have recourse to. I was busy trying to solve my problems and figure things out, and I wasn’t going to take the time to put God into the equation. 

I tried to get knowledge for myself and not through God. And I explored approaches to spirituality outside of Catholic-Christian wisdom as a sort of arrogant response to Catholic arrogance. It was self-defeating at best.

But, in the course of things, I came around and leaned into seeing God as someone to relate to and connect with. Eventually, I came to understand the value of Praise and Worship and learned some things about this literal activity of praising God - an activity that invites the Holy Spirit to come and sit on His throne in Our Hearts, His resting place. And from this posture I have observed Him to impart:

- Curing of sadness
- A welling up of hope and joy
- Contentment
- Creative inspiration
- Detachment from the opinions of others
- The opportunity to fall deep in love with God

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Movies and stories are a way of pulling together archetypes and natures.

When I was moved by a fictional character a year or so ago I went through a process. I explored the names of Jesus used in the Bible and noted the ones that the character reminded me of.

Maybe one of the names would be a literal job the character had like “Advocate”, “Commander”, or “Counselor." Other times it would be a character description like “Guileless." Whatever, at the moment, was speaking to me through that character, I attributed it to God. And it helped me understand and see a new – new to me - facet or dimension of Christ.

A few words from Song of Songs would also move me - in a way that hasn’t always grabbed me since. But, when I read at the time it evoked such a beautiful, tender feeling for me - the tenderness of God and His love for everything He touches and forms.

“….its interior lovingly fitted."  - Song of Songs 3:10

Bible verse: NABRE © 2010. CCD. All rights reserved.